Please read each of the following ten statements thoughtfully and carefully:<\/p>\n
Each of the above has been averred at sometime, somewhere, by someone, passionately, emphatically, on social media or elsewhere \u2014 maybe even on the Intramuralist.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the challenge: each of the above is an opinion.<\/strong><\/p>\n Let\u2019s be clear. An opinion is \u201ca view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.\u201d<\/p>\n Let me add two more relevant definitions. First, a preference<\/strong> is the act of \u201cliking better or best.\u201d And second, a conviction<\/strong> is \u201cthe state of being convinced.\u201d<\/p>\n In other words, a preference is a liking; an opinion is a judgment or belief; and a conviction is a certainty \u2014 it\u2019s something I\u2019d die for.<\/em><\/p>\n For example, I like Purdue basketball; I believe they are incredibly talented this year; but as much as I want them to \u2014 and have convinced myself that it is<\/em> going to happen \u2014 there is no guarantee that Purdue will win the NCAA tournament; it is not certain.<\/p>\n The challenge exists, though, when I state the above \u2014 stating my strong preference and opinion \u2014 as something it is not;<\/em> it is not<\/em> conviction. As much as I might want my beloved Boilermakers to be standing amidst the falling confetti when \u201cOne Shining Moment\u201d is played, my passion and resolve do not make my opinion more certain.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s where our intelligence gets in the way. We think we\u2019re smart; we think we know what\u2019s right; we think we\u2019ve got it all figured out. So we approach things smartly<\/em> \u2014 not wisely.<\/em><\/p>\n Wisdom and intelligence are two totally different things. Intelligence is smarts, brains, and mental capacity. But wisdom is something more. Wisdom adds discernment, self-awareness, and sensitivity toward others.<\/p>\n As thus said frequently in my household, wisdom is more important than intelligence. I may have a son with a cognitive disability who doesn\u2019t score exceptionally well on standard IQ tests, but that same son is incredibly, incredibly wise.<\/em> Wisdom is always more important.<\/p>\n It is only via wisdom, friends, that we learn the difference between preference, opinion, and conviction. Hence, if we could learn that \u2014 if we could be a wise people \u2014 our conversations, relationships, and even social media status would be far better\u2026 and far more respectful of all those around us.<\/p>\n Respectfully\u2026 always\u2026 Please read each of the following ten statements thoughtfully and carefully: All semi-automatic weapons should be banned. Jesus is coming back tomorrow. One of the presidential candidates in the 2016 election was clearly better than the other one. Abortion should be legal in every circumstance. Businesses should stay out of politics. The church should stay … <\/p>\n
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"